Understanding Ashoka's Inscriptions and Edicts

Emperor Ashoka, a prominent ruler of the Mauryan Empire, is known for his numerous inscriptions found throughout the Indian subcontinent. These inscriptions are crucial primary sources for understanding his reign, his administration, and his Dhamma (principles of righteous living). They are carved on rocks and pillars.

These inscriptions are broadly classified into different categories:

• Major Rock Edicts: A set of 14 edicts found at several major rock sites.
• Minor Rock Edicts: Found at numerous sites, generally shorter and sometimes more personal than the Major Rock Edicts.
• Pillar Edicts: Carved on pillars erected by Ashoka, often dealing with Dhamma and administrative matters.
• Minor Pillar Edicts: Shorter inscriptions on pillars.
• Cave Inscriptions: Found in caves, like the Barabar caves.

Identifying Ashoka's Personal Name in Edicts

In most of his inscriptions, Emperor Ashoka refers to himself using titles like 'Devanampiya' (Beloved of the Gods) and 'Piyadasi' (He who looks with affection). These titles were commonly used, but they did not explicitly mention his personal name, 'Ashoka'.

Historians faced difficulty in definitively linking the 'Devanampiya Piyadasi' of the inscriptions to the Ashoka mentioned in Buddhist texts, until a few inscriptions were discovered that contained both the title and the personal name. These inscriptions are particularly significant because they confirm the identity of the ruler.

Minor Rock Edicts Mentioning the Name 'Ashoka'

Among the numerous edicts, a few Minor Rock Edicts are special because they explicitly use the name 'Ashoka' along with his titles. The question asks which of the given options is one such Minor Rock Edict that contains the personal name of the king - Ashoka.

Let's examine the options provided:

• Maski: The Minor Rock Edict found at Maski in Karnataka is one of the first edicts discovered that mentioned the name 'Ashoka' along with titles like 'Devanampiya' and 'Piyadasi'. This was a crucial discovery that helped identify the author of the vast majority of Ashokan inscriptions.
• Bahapur: The Bahapur Minor Rock Edict, located in Delhi, is significant but primarily contains the standard version of the Minor Rock Edict text, which typically refers to the king as 'Devanampiya Piyadasi'.
• Bairat: The Bairat (also known as Bhabru) Minor Rock Edict in Rajasthan is famous for mentioning Buddhist texts and Ashoka's devotion to the Buddhist Sangha. It usually refers to him by his titles.
• Sahasram: The Sahasram (or Sasaram) Minor Rock Edict in Bihar is another site for the Minor Rock Edict text, generally using the title 'Devanampiya'.

Based on archaeological and epigraphic studies, the Maski Minor Rock Edict is definitively known to contain the personal name 'Ashoka', making it a key inscription for historical identification.

Confirmation from Epigraphy

Epigraphists studying Ashokan inscriptions have confirmed that while most edicts use royal titles, the name 'Ashoka' appears in certain Minor Rock Edicts. Besides Maski, other Minor Rock Edicts containing the name 'Ashoka' include those found at Gurjara (Madhya Pradesh), Udegolam (Karnataka), and Nittur (Karnataka). The Maski inscription is historically very important because it was among the earliest ones discovered with the name.

Therefore, among the given options, the Maski Minor Rock Edict is the one that contains the personal name of the king, Ashoka.

Revision Table: Ashoka's Edicts and Names

Additional Information on Ashokan Inscriptions

Ashoka's inscriptions were typically written in Brahmi script in most parts of the empire, except in the northwest where Kharosthi script was used. In Afghanistan, Aramaic and Greek scripts were also used. The language was usually Prakrit, with regional variations.

The discovery and decipherment of Ashokan inscriptions by scholars like James Prinsep in the 19th century were monumental steps in understanding ancient Indian history. These edicts provide invaluable insights into the history, religion, and society of the Mauryan period, directly from the perspective of the emperor himself.

The Maski Minor Rock Edict is significant because it is the first edict where the personal name "Ashoka" is mentioned.

In most of Ashoka's edicts, he refers to himself as "Devanampriya" (Beloved of the Gods) and "Piyadasi" (He who looks with kindness).

However, in the Maski edict, the text clearly states:
"Devanampriya Ashoka", which helped historians confirm that Piyadasi and Ashoka are the same person.

Maski is located in the Raichur district of Karnataka.

✅ So, the Maski Edict is the one that contains Ashoka's personal name.

The Ashokan Minor Rock Edict that contains the personal name of the king, Ashoka, is the Maski edict.